ABSTRACT
Word study work can include a look at a sentence or paragraph from a novel or picture book. Encourage the students to walk around in the author’s shoes, in the syntax of another. When students first begin to imitate authors’ syntax, their imitation will match more closely. Sometimes students will begin to use the syntax of a mentor author independently, even combining the syntax of one author with the syntax of another. When students are first beginning to write, one of their first needs is to understand where to put the end punctuation. Elementary-grade writers often overuse the subject noun-verb way to begin each sentence. One of the best ways to study the use of conventions is through author study. By gathering the works of a particular author and examining the texts for different purposes, students can come to a deeper understanding of craft and conventions.
